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SGBV: NGOs commission women, girls’ safe space In southern Kaduna

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By Austine Emmanuel, Kaduna

Two Non Governmental Organisations, (NGOs), International Alert, (IA), and Global Peace Development, (GPD), have commissioned women and girls’ space in Jema’a LGA, Kaduna state.

The safe space, established in Goska Community, in Kafanchan, the headquarters of the Southern Kaduna people, aims to address the issue of Sexual and Gender Based Violence, (SGBV) and also to give Goska and Dangoma women and girls the platform to discuss issues that are of concern to them.

Goska and Dangoma communities located in Kafanchan, Jema’a LGA of the state consists of Muslims and Christians who have a long history of violent clashes, and SGBV.

However, the safe-space built for them would serve as a referral centre for women and girls, especially survivors of SGBV to get referral to places they could get counselling.

Inaugurating the safe-space structure in Goska, the Executive Director, Global Peace Development, (GPD) Mr. Ebruke Esike, lamented that SGBV and violent conflict was prevalent between Goska and Dangoma, hence the need for the intervention.

Esike said to address cultural norms and SGBV issues, the NGOs conceived the idea of addressing the concerns of women as home builders that could lead to getting the men to promote peace between the two communities.

According to the  Executive Director, if women are not ready for violence, the men cannot perpetrate it, he called for the promotion of access to justice for the women and girls so that outsiders cannot bring enmity to the community.

“Women have a role in the peace process, the safe-space is however a combination of many factors that promote justice, stability and ensuring accountability for those who violate the rights of women and girls.

“Women alone or men alone cannot promote peace, we need to work together and that is why safe-space is important,” he added.

In his remarks, the Country Director, International Alert, Mr Paul Nyulaku, said the safe-space would serve as a point of strategy for the women and girls to explore opportunities for inclusion in decision making processes in their community.

He  equally said that the two NGOs had trained first responders in the communities who would be saddled with the task of providing first response services to survivors of SGBV and referring them to the appropriate authorities if need be.

“The safe-space is going to be manned by the first responders and dialogue facilitators that have been trained to provide psychosocial and psychological support to survivors of SGBV in the communities,” Paul said.

Earlier in her remark, the Director, Policy Advocacy and Communications International Alert, London, Hannah Ward, said it was encouraging to see the two communities who have been in conflict bond together again to live peacefully.

Hannah, who visited Nigeria for the first time to evaluate the successes of the project, reiterated the NGO’s commitment to support conflict prone communities. She hoped to build more safe-spaces across the state to curb the menace of SGBV in Nigeria.

Speaking on behalf of the two communities, the Village Heads, Mr Samuel Barde of Goska and Malam Muhammad Bayi of Dangoma community, thanked the NGOs for erecting the safe-space for their benefits.

The duo said it would go a long way in strengthening the renewed ties between them for the benefit of their youths and the coming generation.

“It will also reduce much of the cases of SGBV in our communities because justice is bound to be served to perpetrators and would serve as deterrence to others,”  they said.

Dignitaries present at the commissioning of the safe-space include women, youths and religious leaders, the Ministry of Human Services and Social Development, the Deputy Chairman of the Jema’a LGA, among others.

The highlight of the event was traditional dance and displays by groups of the two communities and also the planting of Goska Peace Garden as a symbol of the event.

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How Palmpay overcame trust deficit in 12 months- MD Nwosu

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Nigerians’ trust in Palmpay, a Central Bank of Nigeria’s fintech licensed bank, has grown tremendously in the last 12 months.

The Managing Director of Palmpay Nigeria, Chika Nwosu, disclosed this recently when he appeared on  Channels TV Business Roundtable.

Recall that the CBN recently restricted Palmpay and four fintech banks from onboarding new customers.

However, Nwosu gave insights into regulatory concerns surrounding the FinTech ecosystem and said that Palmpay has come to stay within Nigeria’s banking sector.

“Whatever happens with regulation is for the good of the FinTech space in Nigeria. Initially, when we started, there was an issue of trust. However, I can tell you now that the last 1 year after the cashless policy has seen the trust start to grow”.

The Managing Director emphasized PalmPay’s unwavering support for regulators in regulating the FinTech ecosystem, underscoring that regulators want to improve the services of strong players in the FinTech space, such as PalmPay.

On the ease of doing business and how it affects PalmPay, he said:

“Doing business in Nigeria for us is difficult, but Nigerians are embracing our App and digital payment”.

When asked about the problem of failed transfers, he stressed,

“Every institution has its business strategy and infrastructure. For us and most fintechs, we have a structure that makes transactions seamless”.

Regarding the regulator’s recent onboarding policy, he stated that PalmPay agreed with the regulators on some grey areas that must be addressed.

Reassuring customers that there was no issue with using PalmPay, he emphasized, “If PalmPay completes their own today, we will start onboarding today”.

On the issue of trust and the security of the PalmPay app, he said,

“There is no day you won’t see on our app boldly written that we are licensed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and our deposits are insured by the Nigeria Deposits Insurance Corporation (NDIC). PalmPay is here to stay”.

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Mushin LG Chairman flags off construction of Yusuf Street road, promises solar lighting

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The Mushin Local Government Chairman, Hon. Emmanuel Bamigboye on Wednesday flagged off the construction of Yusuf Street road in Papa Ajao.

The project is expected to bring relief to residents and traders in the area and is set to be completed within six months.

According to Bamigboye, the project is a fulfillment of his campaign promise to the people of Mushin, and he expressed gratitude to God for the opportunity to execute the project.

He urged residents to cooperate with the contractor and the local government to ensure the successful completion of the project.

The councillor representing the ward, Ayomide Abioye, expressed his joy and appreciation for the project, stating that it is the longest street in Papa Ajao and will bring immense benefit to the community.

Also, the Baba Oloja of Ladipo International Market, Eze Monday, also commended the Executive Chairman for the project, stating that it will make a significant impact on the development of the area.

The project includes the construction of the road and the installation of solar lighting, which is expected to enhance security and facilitate economic activities in the area.

Residents and traders in the area have been warned not to disturb the contractor or disrupt the project in any way.

Meanwhile, the traders applauded Hon. Bamigboye for demonstrating its commitment to infrastructural development and the welfare of its citizens.

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Giving back to community — Prof Oyedokun speaks on motives

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Lead Facilitator Professor of Accounting & Financial Development Founder OGE, Prof. Godwin Emmanuel Oyedokun, has disclosed that giving back to society community is his motive for pursuing his career.

He made the disclosure in an article titled “My motive for running a free professional diploma course in Forensic Accounting and Fraud Investigation is of several folds.”

He said, “Running a free professional diploma course in forensic accounting and fraud investigation is also motivated by my desire to give back to the community.

“By sharing my expertise and knowledge without any financial barriers, I am helping individuals from diverse backgrounds and financial situations to acquire valuable skills and advance their careers.”

The academic reiterated that the motive for running a free professional diploma course in forensic accounting and fraud investigation is centred around education, skill development, community service, and professional growth.

It is a way to contribute to the accounting profession, address a skill gap, and empower individuals in their pursuit of knowledge and career advancement.

According to him, “Promoting Education and Professional Development to contribute to the growth and development of the accounting profession by providing individuals with an opportunity to enhance their knowledge and skills in the specialised field of forensic accounting and fraud investigation.

“By offering this free course, i am enabling aspiring professionals to access valuable education that might otherwise be costly or inaccessible.”

The Don addressing the need for expertise in Forensic Accounting said, “In recent years, there has been an increasing demand for professionals skilled in forensic accounting and fraud investigation due to the rise in financial crimes and fraudulent activities. By offering this free course, I am helping to address this skill gap and aiding in the fight against financial fraud.”

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